Bicycle driving and brake mechanism.



s. B. swAlNsoN;

BICYCLE DRIVING AND BRAKE MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. I7. 1914. RENEWED APR. 22. I9I6. 1,206,941.Patented Dec. 5,1916.

. 2 SHEETS-SHEEI' I.

NVENTOR. George B. Swainson By A TTORNEYS.

WITNESSES.'

G. B. SWAINSON.

BICYCLE DRIVING AND BRAKE MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED umn. I9I4. IIEIIEwEn APII. 22. me.

1 ,206,941 Patented Dec. 5,1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEETYZ.

' #La ,I

l Z2 u1 P F1710., Fi'l' Fiyi@ WITNESSES: y INI/ENTOR.

George B. SWcIInson n v gym A TTORNE Ys.

GEORGE B. SWAINSON, OF SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

BICYCLE DRIVING AND BRAKE MEGHANISM.

accesar.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 5, 1916.

Application filed December 17, 1914, Serial No. 877,766. Renewed April22, 1916. Serial No. 93,022.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE B. SwAINsoN, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Scranton, in the county of Lackawanna and State ofPennsylvania, have invented a new and Improved Bicycle Driving and BrakeMechanism, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription.

The purpose of the present invention is to providein the driving hub ofa bicycle an improved mechanism by which the rider may propel themachine, allow it to coast, or control its momentum at will, and amongthe principal objects which the invention has in view, are: to providequick acting means for transference of the mechanism from a driving to abraking condition; to provide a brake ring of the expansion type adaptedto present a maximum friction surface; to improve the mechanism employedfor expanding the brake ring; and to obtain increased efliciency bymeans of the mechanism, embodying the invention.

Drawings-Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a bicycle driving wheelhub, constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention,the section being taken as on the line 1-1 in Fig. l; Fig. 2 is a crosssection taken as on the line 2-2 in Fig. l of the drawings, showing anend view of the roller cage disclosing the driving clutch rollers intheir operative or driving position and indicating the brake-clutchrollers in their released position; Fig. 3 is a cross section taken ason the line 3-3 in Fig. 1 of the drawings, showing the brake clutchrollers in operative engagement and indicating the relative position ofthe released driving clutch rollers; Fig. 11 is a cross section taken ason the line 4- in Fig. 1, showing in, elevation, the brake mechanismwith the brake ring expanding elements in their contracted orbrake-released position; Fig. 5 is a similar view showing in expanded orbrake-setting position the' brake ring and controlling parts thereof;Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 are detail views of the parts of the driving andbrake clutch members in perspective and separated in line to show theirrelative assembling arrangement; and Figs. 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 aredetail views in perspective, showing the elements forming the brakeanchor and brake mechanism, with the members disposed in line and in theorder of assemblage.

Description-As seen in Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings, an axle a issecured tok a. frame Z), b1 in the conventional manner by locking therear ends of the frame between the nuts al, a? and the bearing adjustingmembers t3 and a5. The cone a3 is shaped to form a race for the balls a4provided to support the outer end of the driving sleeve (l. The sleeve(Z is shaped to form a racc for the balls cl2 of the bearing at one endof the wheel hub lt. The other end of the hub has a bearing upon theballs c, which have a race formed in the periphery of the member c.

The driving sleeve Z is directly and rigidly connected with a sprocketwheel f and is supported at the inner end on the central sleeve s of thebrake actuator c, which is smooth bored to freely fit the axle a, asshown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings.

The central sleeve s forms a journal bearing for the triple cam surfacedextension e of the driving sleeve (Z. The extension is best seen in Fig.9 of the drawings. The cam surfaces c1 thereof are of equal length andare spaced apart by the relatively narrow bearing surfaces 62, as shownin the transverse sections in Figs. 2 and 3. The extension e carries theroller cage g, which is supported concentric thereto by the bearingsurfaces e2. The cage g is loosely mounted on the said bearing surfaces,and is capable of an oscillating rotative movement thereon about theextension e as hereinafter described. A thrust collar Z1 is provided onthe driving sleeve l to dispose the cage g closely to, but out ofcontact with the wall h2 of the hub, the cage being maintained againstthe said collar by the ring c).

It will be understood that the driving sleeve d being rigidly connectedwith the sprocket wheel f, the rotation of the said sprocket wheel orother equivalent driving member, rotates the said driving sleeve and theextension e thereof relative to the cage g and to the driving rollers rand braking rollers r1 loosely contained in pockets in a major drinnsection m and a minor drum section y, with which the said cage isprovided, and as best seen in Fig. S of the drawings. The driving orbraking operations for the bicycle are dependent upon the engagement ofthe rollers r or r1 by the cam surface e1 of the extension e.

The cage g is provided with keeper rings and c?, which close the ends ofthe pockets provided for the rollers r and r1. The rings are recessed toreceive, and held in place by the lugs g1 and g2. The lugs g1 areextended and spaced apart to form recesses, into which fits whenassembled a key lug o1 of the spring' slip ring or controller v as seenin Figs. 7 and S. The cage is shown, in Fig. 2, with the keeper ring z'as removed to show the rollers r in the pockets.

The driving rollers r and the braking bearing surfaces c2 of theextension c. Due

to this arrangement, it will be seen that if the cage g is maintainedrelatively stationary, the movement of the driving sleeve Z andextension e thereon, forwardly or backwardly, results in lifting one orother series of the rollers to engage either of the adjacent structures.

From the foregoing and by reference to the drawings, particularly toFigs. 2 and 3 thereof, it will be seen that the shift ofthe rollers rand r1 is eected rapidly and without conflict, due to the fact that themovement which engages the one set of rollers, is the movementwhichdisengages the other set Vof rollers. Thus in Figs. 2 and 3 of thedrawings, the arrows shown therein indicate the movements of theextension e for the accomplishment of the results required.

Disposed in juxtaposed and circuinfolding relation to the major` drumsection m of thecage g, is a shallow cylindrical clutch socket 71.1formed in the hub It. The inner surface of the'socket tl is closelyjuxtafposed to the perimeter of the rollers 1, when Y GOV Y tuator c.

the same rest onl the center of the cam surfaces cl ofthe extension e.VThe separation between the rollersr and the` surface of the socket h1,is sucient to'rpermit the hub VL to rotate freely when the said socketis not gripped by the rollers r, as seen in Fig. l.

To surround theV rollers r1Y in a similar mannergto that abovedescribedV with regard to rollers r, the brake actuator c is providedwith a cylindrical clutch socketc1, the in- Y' y Y ner wall of which isnormally removed from engaging contact with the rollersV r1 whenthe'idriving sleeve Z is being employed to drive the bicycle. l/Vhen,however, the sleeve CZ isgrotated reversely as byV back pedaling,the-cam surfaces@1 of the extension e, permit the retraction-of therollers 7j and project the rollers r1' to'frictionally engage theclutchV surface of socket Vc1V of the brake ac- The cage g isnorniallyfrictionallyconnected with the brake actuator c through theagency of the slip ring or controllerV fv. The. engagement of the keyllugclV with the lugs4 g1 on the cage g has been described. The body ofthe controller v rests in a relatively reducedv socket c5 formed in theactuator c and opening into the clutch socket c1. The controller cfrictionally engages the surface of ,the smaller Asocket to form aretarding, yielding connection between the cage g and theV actuator c. This connection provides for a relatively free movement of the sleeve eZ,without movement on the part of the cage i g, until the driving rollersr or the brake rollers r1 grip the clutch sockets in the manner as abovedescribed. Thus when the clutching action is effected by the forwardrotation.of the driving sleeve for the pro-Y pulsion of the bicycle, thecage, rotating with the driving sleeve and the hub, rotates thecontroller c in its socket within the actuator c. When however, thereverse operation is effected for the purpose of applying the brake, thering o turns as a unit with the actuator, cage and driving sleeve.

The brake mechanism, as shown in Fig. l comprises an expansion brakering, and two pivotally mounted inter-acting levers of peculiar form.The function of these levers Vis'to produce an opening movement to bothends of the brake ring simultaneously in' opposite directions. VThelink-shapedl lever Z is pivotally mounted by the fulcrum post p upon thekeeper plate it'. The keeper plate 71: has a perforation [c1 to receivethe post p. An anchor plate m has a similar perforation m1, throughwhich the said post extends and has its bearing, as seen in Fig. l ofthe drawn ings but more clearly shown in Figs. v10, l1 and l2. Thekeeper plate 7c has a central perforation 7a2, through which the reducedend t2 of a thimble t extends. The perforation m2 in the plate m issimilarly provided to receive the'reduced endV 252- of the thimble t.The anchor plate m is provided with an anchor arm m3 Vadapted-to besecured definitely to the frame of the bicycle as by the clip m4,thereby holding the plates 7c and m stationary Vor non-rotative andfixing the Ybearing .of the fulcrumpost p, which is theV pivot Vfor thelever Z. The short end of the icc lever Z is provided witha laterallyextended thereof with a shoulder Z2 to engage an inset shoulder u1 onthe brake ring wasv seen in Fig. 4 of the-drawings. Y

The lever Z has a laterally ing o, provided in the center of theplatelike body of the lever, asbest seen in Fig.V

-ca1nZ1. The cam Z1 is provided at the heel- Y y projecting pin i g atthe opposite 'side of an enlarged openl2 ofthe drawings. The pin QVnormally Y rests between and in engagement with the lug c2 and the lugc3 onV the brake actuatorc,

as seen in Figs. 6 and 12.V The actuator c is rotatively mounted on theaxle a by means of the central sleeve s thereof. VThe rotation of thesaid actuator is limited, beinggov-YV erned, by thethrow Yof the leverZ, the en.-

lai-ged opening o permitting the movement of the said lever about thethimble t.

Superimposed upon the lever Z and disposed closely thereto is asecondary lever n. The lever n is provided with an eye or opening o1which forms a bearing on the thimble t, adapting the said lever fn, toswing thereon, as seen in Figs. 13 and 14. The lever n has a cam n1which is curved to lie against the aforesaid laterally projecting cam Z1of the lever Z. A shoulder n1 is formed on the cam n1 which engages theinset shoulder u2 of the brake ring ai. The thimble t has a collar 1which serves to maintain the lever Z and the lever n in close but freerelation to each other and to the keeper plate Zt'. By this arrangementthe lever Z freely moves between the keeper plate Zt" and the lever a,while the said lever n is free to swing upon the thimble Z between thelever Z and the collar t1.

The cams Z1 and n1 on the lever Z and the lever fn, are disposed in therelation, shown best in Fig. et of the drawings. The convex face of thecam Z1 and the concave face of the cam n1, are arranged to an eccentriccurve, formed by the gradual extension of the toe of the cam Z1 and therecession of the cam n1. The eccentric curve of the cam surfaces is sodisposed with reference to the axes about which the levers rotate orswing, that the symmetrical relation of the said cams to each other ismaintained without regard to the movements of the said levers.

From the foregoing, and by reference to the drawings shownv in Figs. land 5, it will be evident that any movement imparted to the lever Z andthence to its shoulder Z2, will, through the operation of the cam Z1upon the cam-n1, cause a simultaneous opposite movement to be impartedto the lever n and the shoulder n2 thereof, forced thereto by theengaged eccentric surfaces of the two cams. Thus it will be seen thatwhen, by the back pedaling effort, the brake actuator is rotated in thedirection lof the arrow in Fig. 6, that the lug c2 is caused to impingeagainst the pin g of the lever Z, moving the said lever about itsfulcrum post 79. The result of this action is that the shoulders Z2 andn2 on the levers, together with the inset shoulders u1 and a2 on thebrake ring are forced apart, expanding the brake ring outwardly againstthe brake drum w, as shown in Fig. 5, where the action of the camsconsequent upon the movement of the lever Z for the brake application isseen. rlhe brake drum lw being rigidly connected with the hub h, and thering u being non-rotatively held and in rubbing contact with the saiddrum, the wheel, of which the hub Zt is a part, is retarded by thebraking action which ensues between the brake ring and the brake drum.lVhen the brake ring is in frictional contact with the rotating brakedrum, the

inset shoulder u1 of the said ring impinges against the shoulder Z2 ofthe lever Z, which having a fixed bearing by means of the post y), thering is held against rotation with the drum. The impinging force of thering against the shoulder Z2 is equalized by the opposing or rearwardthrust of the actuator against the pin q, which may be graduated as thebraking friction is required. When desired to release the brake, thedriving f sleeve Z is rotated in a forward direction, when the extensionc and the surfaces e1 thereof are readj Listed with reference to therollers r1, the pressure of which is relieved on the inner surface ofthe clutch socket c1 and .the brake rino u is then permitted tocontract, moving tlie levers Z and a to their normal positions, which isthat shown in Fig. fl of the drawings. Coincident with the shift of thelever Z and the pin (l thereof, the actuator c and the lugs connectedtherewith, are moved back to their initial or normal location.

The hub is provided with an enlargement or bell, which forms the drivingclutch socket for the driving rollers. The driving rollers arepreferably made of larger diameter than the braking rollers to withstandthe more intermittent use they are subjected to in driving. Their largediameter presents a maximum gripping surface, eliminating wear on thecams and rendering the drive positive and smooth. rllhe rollers, beingarranged in triangular formation, their gripping action is equalized andself-centering both in driving and braking.

The bearings of the hub and driving sleeve may be adjusted by means ofthe cone a3 in the usual way or by the thimble t. The thimble isthreaded on the axle and abuts against the actuator c, and has notchest3 formed to receive lugs on the adjusting ring t5 by which theadjustment of the thimble is made.

The brake ring u is split and set to normally contract to a lesserdiameter than that of the drum fw. The ring is held freely, beingloosely supported by bracket hooks 7c3. The hooks t are riveted orotherwise rigidly secured in the plate Zr: and the ring u has a rabbetededge @L3 to receive the upturned ends of the hooks ZJ, as best shown inFig. 11 of the drawings. By rabbeting the edge of the ring u, a maximumfriction surface for the said ring against the inner surface of the drumw is secured. The brake ring is preferably made as shown in the drawingsto insure a graduated elasticity, that it may be expanded withoutdistortion and its circularity maintained, thus eliminating excessivestrains and undue wear in the bearings and frictional parts. The ringbeing made a complete circle, and having no part thereof anchored to afixed abutment, its entire circumferential length is available for thebraking effect, thereby increasing the efficiency and durability of themechanism.

Claims: I 1. A mechanism as characterized compris- V ing, a plurality ofdriven members, each expanding the said ring; 'holding said ring againstrotation.

having' a clutch socket concentrically disposed; a rotaryrdriving memberhaving a cam surface disposed in said sockets; a plurality of loose gripmembers between said driving member and said clutch sockets, said gripmembers being progressively disposed; means for maintaining theprogresdriven members for expanding the said ring.'

2. A mechanism as characterized comprising, a. plurality of drivenmembers, each having a clutch socket concentri'cally. dis-V posed; arota-ry driving member having ay cam surface disposed in said sockets; aplurality oit grip members between said driving member and said clutchsockets, said grip members Y being Yprogressively means for maintainingthe progressive arrangement of said grip members; a brake,

Vembodying a drinn member mounted on one Y ofsaid driven members and aneXpansible brake ring mounted Within said drum member; meansVoperatively engaging saidring and theother of said driven members forand means for 3. A mechanism as'characterized comp ising, a plurality ofdriven members, each having a clutchV socket concentrically disposed; arotary driving member having a cam surface disposed VWithin saidsockets; a

plurality of grip members betiveen said Vdriving member and said clutchsockets, said gripmembers being progressively disposed; means formaintaining the progressive arrangement of saidV grip members; a brake,embodying a drum member mounted on one Y of said driven members and anexpansible Y lbrake ringY mounted Within said 'drum' member; a pluralityof pivotally mounted levers operatively engaging said ring; Vmeansoperatively connecting saidY levers for moving the same in relativelyopposite directions, to

expand saidrrring; and means operatively connecting one of said leversand the VVothe of said driven members.

fi. A mechanism as characterized compris- Y ing, a Vplurality of drivenmembers, each having a clutch'v socket concentrically *disposed; arotary driving member having al Ycam surface disposed in said sockets; aplurality of grip members between said driving member and said'clutchsockets, said grip members being 'progressively` disposed;

meansfor maintaining the progressive ardisposed ;V

rangement of said grip members; a brake, embodying a drum-member mountedon one of said driven members and an expansible brake ring mountedWithin said drum member; a plurality of interacting levers, eachoperatively connecting a section of said ring for movement thereof inrelatively opposite directions; means operatively connecting saidinteracting levers for separating the ends thereof engaged with saidring; and means operatively connecting one of said levers and the otheror" said driven members.

5. A mechanism as characterized comprising, a. plurality of drivenmembers, each having a clutch socket concentrically disposed; a rotarydriving member having a cam surface disposed in said sockets; aplurality of grip members between said driving member and said sockets,said grip members being progressively disposed; means for maintainingthe progressive arrangement of'saidgrip members; a brake, embodying adrinn member mounted on one of said driven members and aV freelyeXpansible brake ring mounted Within said drum member; a plurality oflinteracting levers, each operatively connecting a section of saidringifor movement thereof in relatively opposite directions; a pluralityof cam surfaced members, one formed on each of said levers cooperativeto move inropposite directions the portion of said levers connected withsaid ring; and means operatively connecting one of said levers and theother of said driven members.

6. A Vmechanism as characterized com-V prising, a plurality of drivenmembers, each having a clutch socket concentrically disaosed' a rotardrivin@ member` havin a l e 2a cam surface disposed Within saidVsockets; f

a plurality of grip members between saidV driving member Vand saidsocket, Ysaid grip members -being progressivelyV disposed; means formaintaining the progressive arrangement oif said grip members;- a brake,embodying a druinmember mounted onV one of said driven members; an Yexpansible brake ring mounted in said drum member; a plurality ofpivotally mounted interacting levers, vsaid levers having each Va cam,said cams being operatively engaged for simultaneous movement inrelatively opposite directions; means connecting said cams and separablesections oic said ring; and means operatively engaging one of saidVlevers and the other of said driven'members for expanding Isaid ringwhen saidY driven member is actively disposed. Y Y 7. A mechanism ascharacterized com- ,12-5 Y Vprising, a plurality of drivenV members,eachV havin@ a clutch socketV concentricall disb 1 Y Y Y posed; a rotarydriving memberhaving aV *Y cam surface disposed inV saidv sockets; aplurality of grip members .betiveenA saiddriving member and said clutchsockets, said grip members being progressively disposed; means formaintaining the progressive arrangement of said grip members; a brake,embodying a drum member mounted on one of said driven members; aneXpansible brake ring mounted within said drum member; a plurality ofpivotally mounted interacting levers; said levers having each a cam;said cams being operatively engaged for simultaneous movement inrelatively opposite directions; means connecting said cams and separablesections of said ring; a pivot for one of said levers; said pivot beingdisposed in correspondence with said cams; means operatively connectingthe last-mentioned lever with the other of said driven members; andmeans to operatively maintain the said pivot in stationary relation tothe said driven members.

8. A mechanism as characterized comprising; a plurality of drivenmembers, each having a clutch socket concentrically disposed; a rotarydriving member having a cam surface disposed within said sockets; aplurality of grip members between said driving member and said sockets,said grip members being progressively disposed; means for maintainingthe progressive arrangement of said grip members; a brake, embodying adrum member mounted on one of said driven members; an expansible brakering mounted within said drum member; a plurality of pivotally mountedinteracting levers, said levers having each a cam; said cams beingoperatively engaged for simultaneous movement in relatively oppositedirections; means connecting said cams and separable sections of saidring; a pivot for one of said levers, said pivot being disposed incorrespondence with said cams; a connecting extension formed on thelast-mentioned lever disposed in the path of, to be engaged byprojections formed on the other of said driven members; and an anchoredmember to operatively engage the said pivot to form a stationarilydisposed bearing therefor.

9. A mechanism as characterized comprising; a plurality of drivenmembers, each having a clutch socket eoncentrically disposed; a rotarydriving member having a cam surface disposed within said sockets; aplurality of grip members between said driving member and said sockets,said grip members being progressively disposed; means for maintainingthe progressive arrangement of said grip members; a brake, embodying adrum member mounted on one of said driven members; an eXpansible brakering mounted within said drum member; a plurality of pivotally mountedinteracting levers, said levers having each a cam, said cams beingoperatively engaged for simultaneous movement in relatively oppositedirections; means connecting said cams and separable sections of saidring; a pivot for one of said levers, said pivot being disposed incorrespondence with said cams; a connecting extension formed on thelastmentioned lever disposed in the path of, to be engaged byprojections formed on the other of said driven members; and an anchorplate operatively engaging said pivot to maintain fixedly the pivotalaxis thereof.

10. A mechanism as characterized comprising, a wheel hub having a clutchsocket; an actuator having a clutch socket concentric with said hub; arotary driving member having cam surfaces disposed within said sockets;a plurality of grip members disposed between said sockets and said camsurfaces, said grip members being disposed in progressive relation; acage holding said grip members in spaced relation; and meansfrictionally engaging said cage and actuator for holding said cage whilesaid grip members are adjusted by said cam surfaces.

1l. A mechanism as characterized comprising, a wheel hub having a clutchsocket; an actuator having a clutch socket concentric with said hub; arotary driving member having cam surfaces disposed within said sockets;a plurality of grip members disposed between said sockets and said camsurfaces, said grip members being disposed in progressive relation; acage holding said grip members in spaced relation; and a controller forsaid cage having a split ring 'friction portion to hold said cage whileshifting the said grip members.

12. A mechanism as characterized comprising, a multi-clutch memberhaving a plu 'ality of expansible grip members disposed in series, eachseries embodying more than two members for balancing the thrust thereof,the members of one series being progressively advanced with relation tothe members of the other series; and a manually controlled drivingmember having cam surfaces equal in number to the grip members of oneseries; said surfaces being each disposed in juxtaposed relation to twogrip members belonging to different series.

13. A mechanism as characterized comprising, a plurality ofclutch-socket-provided driven members; a rotary manually controlleddriving member; and a plurality of series of expansible grip membersdisposed between said driven members and driving member, the gripmembers of the opposite series being relatively staggered for alternateoperation by said driving member when rotated in relatively reversedirection.

14. A mechanism as characterized comprising, a plurality ofclutch-socket-provided driven members; a rotary manually controlleddriving member; a plurality of series of expansible grip membersdisposed between said driven members and driving Y Vmember7 the gripmembers of the oppositeV Vseries being staggered for Valternate oper-Yationfby said driving member-When rotated i Y in relativelyVreverse'direction;V andV means for-limiting the extent of rotation ofone of said driven members.

In testimony Wlereofl .have signed my Vnenne to this speeloatlon in thepresence of' two subseribing Witnesses. Y w

GEORGE B; SVANSON'.-

Vitnesses: Y Y Y FLORENCE A. RICHARDS,Vv GEO. H; SMITH.V

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' Washington, D. C.

